YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1235, 19 June 1947, Page 8

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

FIELD DAY Tirau-Okoroire Branch Although the distance was the greatest the eluib had ever travelled, or may travel—7o miles each way—the Tirau-Okoroire Young Farmers’ Cluib held one of the most interesting and instructive field days in its history at the Alton Lodge, Stud., Te Kauwhata. The weather was ideal and about 20 attended, including some parents of Y.F.C. members. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond control necessitated the day feeing Sunday. On arriving at the stud, the party was met by Sir James Fletcher and given a brief outline of the history of the farm and its general layout and procedure in management. A striking view was obtained from the homestead, two outstanding features being the fenced-in area of native bush, mainly kahikatea, and the miles of white-painted pinus insignus post and rail fences. Upon leaving here a small area of 40 acres, adjacent to the main block, was inspected and some very fine brood mares were seen. This piece of land was covered in gorse lour years ago, buit after- careful and intensive tilling and sowing, now has a good sole of grass. Next the 160-acre farm containing the dairy and piggeries was thoroughly inspected, points of interest being a long concrete race with foot-rot bath at the entrance to the main yard of the cowshed and the brick wall round the whole yards. A large liquid manure sump was also seen. In the piggeries, plywood sides to pig houses aroused considerable interest. ~ , ; ■ The party then travelled back to the farm proper (200 acres), where the homestead, stables, etc., are situated, and had dinner. After dinner the grazing plan of the farm was explained. The stallion houses were then visited, and the three well-known sires, Balloch, Gold Nib and Revelation, were admired and looked over. ‘From there the looseboxes and feed-sheds were inspected. an interesting feature being the drinkingcups operated by the horse’s nose in the loose-box. A walk was then taken to the compost-making patch and general grazing paddocks. Several paddocks were looked over which had been subjected to a process of hard cultivating and harrowing, and resown in grass straightaway in March, the result of which was outstanding. In these paddocks were seen the stud’s 1 foals, an interesting feature being that every foal gets one gallon of whole milk per day from the weaning, up to its sale at Trenitham in January. The stud manager, Mr. Land say, gave the breeding of many of the foals, close relations of which are well known in turf circles. After a brief discussion between the members and the stud staff, the chairman, Mr. J. Allen, junr., thanked 'Sir James: Fletcher and M*\ Landsay for their kindness and hospitality. Sr. James Fletcher in his* farewell remarks asked the cluib to visit Alton Lodge next February, when the pasture rejuvenation of certain paddicks would be carried out.